No. 4: MD's Newsletter
Ain't it strange
Spring is in full swing here in the desert. It’s a fun season with lots of variabilities. One day could be 103 and you’re already thinking about where to head this summer to escape the heat. The next could bring a rainstorm that leaves the world clear and glistening. It’s my favorite season here if you don’t consider the pollen that seems to trigger everyone’s allergies.
I love spending time sitting outside at night in the spring, especially when it’s quiet out and the only sound is the wind rustling through the palms. It’s very grounding, and it serves as a humbling reminder: no matter how noisy the inside of your head gets, no matter how fast the world seems to spin, there is always a quiet spring evening to look forward to.
New at CV Independent
I’ve had a good response to my latest CV Independent column about a new park planned to open in Mecca at the end of the year. A new equity framework for state park funding provided almost $6 million to get the project started after plans were in the works for about 20 years. As I wrote in the column:
Even the loveliest of green spaces cannot make up for the lack of investment in the eastern Coachella Valley’s housing and infrastructure. And waiting 20 years to get a community park in a rural community that’s home to many families is also not equity. But from here on out, the plan is to work quickly and get the park completed by the end of 2022.
Some of my favorite memories as a kid/teen were in public parks, and I think it’s exciting that more families in the ECV will have a beautiful new space to hang out in and enjoy the environment. We should all do that more, I think.
Routines matter
I’m juggling one, not two, but THREE articles this week, which is the most bylines I’ve juggled at one time since early 2021. Contrary to what I’m doing right now (sitting in Starbucks typing on my laptop), writing involves a lot of things before you get to the writing part. There are interviews to arrange, quotes to transcribe, frameworks to consider, and research to read. But overall, it feels good to get back up to speed, and I find myself much more invigorated to sit down and do the work than I have felt in years.
But even when you love what you do, it’s important not to burn out. I’m proceeding with caution during this next phase of my career/life and trying to find that balance between high performance and restorative practices. I’ve often lived by the mantra “treat yourself like a thoroughbred,” which reminds me that high expectations require you to take excellent care of oneself. For me, that means:
An hour of activity before looking at my phone. Lately that means waking up early, walking the dog, and listening to music/painting before I start working around 8.
Not drinking alcohol (or limiting myself to one drink at a bar!)
Staying on top of household chores
Committing to a skincare routine
Working out at least 3x a week
Here’s a great podcast on high performance from the Daily Stoic with Dr.Michael Gervais that reinforced a lot of this for me.
If music be the food of love…
Since finishing my master’s degree a couple weeks ago (buried lede!) I’ve been making it a point to spend more time doing…..whatever I want! For some reason, I can’t stop making things and listening to country music.
Recently I put together this portfolio for my fiancé Zach and his incredible collection of work and so far it’s gotten a great response. I’m also inhaling Elin Hilderbrand novels, and doing much more journaling.
The new Miranda Lambert record is outstanding and has me wanting to go to Vegas for her residency. I’m working on a cover of “Strange,” which you might see pop up for my next Instagram video. I also finally got into the Tyler Childers category and man…that stuff is heavy but it hits deep. “Whitehouse Road” deserves its own short novella if you’re into tales of hard living.
I’m off to run an errand with Zach’s mom and then hopefully home to finish my next Visit Palm Springs piece and whatever else the day brings. Until next time,